Week 2 NFL Power Rankings: Marshawn Lynch, Raiders dance their way to top spot

The Autumn Wind edition of the power rankings includes a new No. 1, one loaded division and a possible crisis with America's Team.

Week 2 Power Rankings:

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1. Raiders (2-0); Last week: 2

Beast Mode got jiggy with it upon hearing that Oakland leapfrogged the Chiefs for the coveted top spot in our rankings. Or maybe he was just celebrating the Raiders' throttling of the hapless Jets on Sunday. The guys in silver-and-black are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. A primetime trip next Sunday to the nation's capital awaits.

The Raiders leap to No. 1 in this week’s power rankings. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2. Chiefs (2-0); Last Week: 1

Andy Reid followed up a lid-lifting beatdown of the reigning Super Bowl champions by edging pupil Doug Pederson. The Eagles trailed by only a field goal after three quarters before Kansas City put it away with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. Kareem Hunt wasn't a one-week wonder, in case you were wondering.

3. Patriots (1-1); Last Week 6

Tom Brady sure did look like a decrepit over-the-hill quarterback, who definitely needs to hang 'em up, right? TB12 carved up the paltry Saints defense en route to the third most prolific passing day (447 yards) of his 18-year career. Maybe 40 really is the new 30. Or maybe Brady runs on batteries. Newsflash: The Patriots are far from done.

4. Falcons (2-0); Last Week 7

What better way to christen the majestic Mercedes-Benz Stadium than by smacking around the Packers in a rematch of the last year's NFC title game? Dan Quinn's team looked an awful lot like the one that steamrolled through the NFC last year. A tough road test against the Lions is on the horizon.

5. Steelers (2-0); Last Week: 4

Le'Veon Bell still isn't quite right, but there's enough offensive firepower that it might not matter. This just in: Martavis Bryant is good at football. Pittsburgh's first unofficial bye is coming up this week: A matchup against the horrific Bears.

6. Broncos (2-0); Last week: Unranked

The AFC West is absolutely loaded (three 2-0 teams). Denver crashes the Top 10 party after embarrassing the almighty Cowboys. Could Trevor Siemian actually be the real deal? We already knew that Vance Joseph had a scary defense. Imagine the possibilities if Siemian actually is, you know, good.

7. Packers (1-1); Last Week: 5

The bad news: Aaron Rodgers & Co. drops a couple spots after falling to the Falcons in primetime without their starting tackles. The good news: They get a get-well game in Lambeau against the train-wreck Bengals this week.

8. Cowboys (1-1); Last Week: 3

Jerrah's bunch takes the biggest tumble of the week after getting exposed in Denver. Here's a losing formula: Zeke Elliott rushed for a career-low eight yards, while Dak Prescott threw it a career-high 50 times. The Cowboys gave up 246 first-half yards to a Siemian-led offense. Will Dallas respond in Arizona on Monday night? They better or there will be some serious panic spreading across Big D.

9. Buccaneers (1-0); Last Week 14

Tampa vaults into the Top 10 with a 29-7 laugher over the putrid Bears. Maybe all the preseason hype was warranted. A much stiffer test in Minnesota awaits.

10. Seahawks (1-1); Last Week: 8

Pete Carroll's club avoided an 0-2 start by edging the lowly 49ers in a pillow fight. There are serious questions about a Seattle offense that has reached the end zone only once in eight quarters. On the bright side, rookie Chris Carson might be the answer to their backfield woes.

11. Ravens (2-0); Last Week: 10

Baltimore drops one spot. That's what you get for beating the Browns. John Harbaugh's defense has given up only 10 points and racked up eight sacks in eight quarters. John Harbaugh's offense just lost Pro Bowl guard Marshall Yanda to a season-ending ankle injury.

12. Panthers (2-0); Last week: 11

Is there a more unimpressive undefeated team in the NFL? Carolina squeaked by the Bills by scoring only three field goals. Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen is out for up to two months with a broken foot. Cam Newton isn't scaring anyone.

It hasn't been pretty, but Cam Newton and the Panthers are 2-0. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

13. Lions (2-0); Last week: 9

Matthew Stafford is playing smart football after signing his monster contract. Next up: A showdown (and possible shootout) with the Falcons.

14. Dolphins (1-0); Last week: Unranked

Smokin' Jay Cutler didn't look half bad in his grand re-opening. Miami also got a huge break thanks to a late shanked field goal by the Chargers. They might get another break this week by facing the Jets.

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15. Eagles (1-1); Last week: 12

Philly went blow for blow with the Chiefs for three quarters before crumbling in the final 15 minutes. Carson Wentz can sure sling it, but his team will have to find a running game to have a realistic shot at winning a winnable NFC East.